Glaucoma Testing

The optic nerve is the nerve which carries information received from our retina (the back of our eye) to our brain to create the images we see. As you could imagine, the optic nerve plays a detrimental role in providing us with vision. Glaucoma is when there is irreversible vision loss due to the damage of the optic nerve. The changes to vision is usually gradual rather than sudden and usually affects the peripheral vision first.

As we are so focussed on our central vision, sometimes we do not notice changes to our side vision until it is too late. 50% of people who have glaucoma are undiagnosed. Early signs and symptoms of glaucoma can easily be missed by patients which is why we highly recommend having your eyes tested regularly to monitor your risk of developing glaucoma.

What causes glaucoma?

There are many things that can cause glaucoma, but the most common cause is when there is an increase in intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) which can cause damage to the optic nerve. If the elevated pressures are left untreated it can cause progressive damage to the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss.

It is possible to develop glaucoma even if your intraocular pressures are within normal limits. This is why it is important to have your eyes checked regularly at an optometrist.

Who is at risk of glaucoma?

It is estimated that more than 300, 000 Australians have signs of glaucoma, yet 50% are unaware that they have it.

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing glaucoma. These include:

• family history of glaucoma

  • People who have a family history of glaucoma are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma in their lifetime by 10x

• Increase in age

• History of high intraocular pressures (eye pressure)

• Diabetes

• Prolonged course of cortisone medication (steroid)

• Migraine suffer

• history of an eye operation or eye injury

• Sleep apnoea

• History of high or low blood pressure